Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



`lan. 13,1925. 1,522,537

J. F. ocoNNoR FRICLIION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM original Filed Aug. "7, 1922 '2 sheets-sheet i ff Z6 Z Jan.'13',1925. 1,522,537

J. F. OCONNOR FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM' Original Filed Aug. '7, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2

/y -W l @j www ,Patented Jaaiaieaa j 1,522,537

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. OCONNOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR. BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO W, I-I. MINER, INC., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

ERECTION SHOCK-ABSORBING MECHANISM.

Application filed August 7, 1922, Serial No, 580,907. Renewed .Tune 7, 1924.

To (,ZZ whom it may concern.' so as to insure a balanced spring pressure Be it known that 1, JOHN F. QCoNNon, a for the friction devices.

citizen of the United States, residing at Other objects of the invention will more Chicago, in the county of Cook and State clearly appear from the description herein- 5 of Illinois, have invented a certain new and after following.

useful Improvement in Friction Shock-Ab- In the drawings forming a part of this sorbing Mechanisms, of which the following specification, Figure 1 is a horizontal longiis a full, clear, concise, and exact descriptudinal sectional view of a portion of a railtion, reference being had to the accompanyway draft rigging showing my improvements l0 ing drawings, forming a part of this speciin connection therewith. Figure 2 is a front fic-ation. end elevation of the shock absorbing mech- This invention relates to improvements in anism proper. Figure 3 is a vertical transfriction shock absorbing mechanisms. verse sectional view of the shock absorbing One object of the invention is to provide mechanism proper corresponding substan- 15 a friction shock absorbing mechanism, estially to the line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure pecially adapted for railway draft riggings, 4; is a partial vertical longitudinal sectional wherein is obtained high capacity, the mechview taken on the line 4-41 of Figure 2. aiiisin consisting of few parts and so ar- And Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are detail perspec- V ranged as to insure certain release. tives of one of the wedge elements, one of l0 A nother object of the invention is to prothe keen angle friction shoes, one of the vide a friction shock absorbing mechanism side liners and one of the top liners of the of the character indicated wherein a keen shell, respectively. angle wedging effect is obtained in compresln said drawings, 10-1O denote the usual sion and a blunt angle effect in release, thus channel draft sills of a car underfraine, to .a5 permitting of substantially any desired high the inner faces of which are secured front frictional capacity accompanied by certain stop lugs 11 and rear stop lugs 12. A porrelease, and all without the necessity of antition of a drawbar is indicated at 13, the friction rollers, anti-friction pads or other saine being operatively associated with the corresponding expedients that have heretoshock absorbing mechanism proper by a :io fore been deemed necessary. hooded cast yoke 14E, the shock absorbing still further object of the invention is mechanism being disposed within the yoke to provide a friction shock absorbing mechas is also a front main follower 15. The anisni of the character indicated wherein are yoke and parts therewithin are supported employed a friction shell, friction shoes, and iii operative position by a detachable saddle :15 spreading means, the friction shoes and plate 16.

spreading means having` cooperating sets of The improved shock absorbing mechanism engaging faces, certain of which produce a proper, as shown, comprises, broadly, a comkeen angle wedging action in compression bined friction shell and spring cage casting and blunt, non-wedge-acting effect in release, A; twin arranged springs B-B; a spring `1o and certain of which are of blunt, substanfollower C; two sets of cooperable friction ially i'ion-wedge-acting effect in compression shoes and wedge, each set including a wedge and wedge-acting effect in release. D, a blunt angle friction shoe E, and a keen A specihc object of the invention is to angle friction shoe F; an' anchor bar G; a provide a mechanism employing an arrangeretainer bolt H; and a locking plate J. gi;

mont of friction shoes and spreading means The friction shell and cage casting A, as

of the character indicated in the preceding shown, is of rectangular crossfjsection havparagraph wherein the setsv of shoes and ing top and bottom walls 17-17, side walls spreading means are so arranged as to neu- 18--18 and integral back wall 19, the latter tralize or equalize any tendency of the elecooperating with the stop lugs 12 func- 10o 5.o ments of one set of deifices to advance ltioning as the rear follower of the mechafarther within the friction shell. anotherI nism. The side walls* relatively short so as to leave the major portion of the sides of the casting open to admit of the insertion and removal of the springs and springA follower C. Thefriction shell proper of the vcasting Ads at the forward end thereof and in order to prolong the life of the shell, it is preferably provided with' liners consisting of two side plates 2li-20 and two top and bottom plates 21e-21. The top and bottom plates 21 are each made flat throughout and are notched on their side edges as indicated'at22 and 23 and also on their rear edges as indicated atk 2l, for the purposes hereinafter; described. Each plate 2O has an inner flat side 25 providing a `longitudinally extending -friction surface and on its outerlsideis formed with two spaced heavy Vor wide ribs 2 6-26, the latter seatingin .corresponding recesses 27--27 provided in the Jside .walls y18. As will be noted from Aan inspection of Figure 1, by providing the ref cesses 27, theside walls are left with three l 'inwardly .extending ribs 28, 29 and 30. ln

assembling the liner plates, the two top and bottom plates 21 are first put in position, it being4 evident that the notches ,'22 and 23 therein will fitover the ribs 28 and 29 and the rear edges 31 of the plates 21 will bear against the ribs of the casting A. After the two plates 21 are in position, the side Yplates 20 are then put in laterally with the heavy ribs 26 thereof fitting within the recesses 27. ln this manner, after the friction elements are inserted, 1t is evident that the plates 2O will be held in position and the plates 20 in turn will hold the plates 21 in position and allthe plates will be securely locked against either inward: or outward movement with respect to the casting A. The friction surfaces'25 will be converged at a comparatively small angle, inwardly7 of j the shell, as shownin Figure 1.

lThe' springs 'B are in twin vrarrangement and teach preferably consists of an outer heavy coil and an inner lighter nested coil. Said springs bear, at their front ends, on the back Awall 19 of the casting A and at their forward ends upon the Aspring follower C. k 'i l As hereinbefore'set forth, two sets of friction devices are employed to cooperate with the shell, each set including a pair of friction shoes and an interposed pressuie-trans'` mitting wedge.

is arrangedrelatively acute with respect to the' axis' of the mechanism whereas the angle of the'engaging facesof the other shoe and wedge of the same set, is arrangedat a relativel'y blunt releasing anglewith respect to the axis of the mechanism, as described Amorei'ndetail hereinafter. The two. sets of ranged, that is, the cooperating keen angle.

faces of one set are on one side of the mechl T he angle of engagement V'ofthe' faces' of oneshoe and wedge of set 'fer with respect toV their' inclined faces.

Each said shoe is provided on its exterior with a flat friction surface 32V cooperable with the corresponding adjacent friction surface 25 ofthe shell. @n its .inner side, each shoe F is formedwith an inclinedface 38 which extends at a relatively acute or keen wedgeV angle with. respect to the `axis of the shell or center line-ofdraft. Each shoe E `is provided on its inner side with an inclined face 34 which extends at a relatively blunt and releasing angle with respect to the axis of the shell. Each wedge D is formed with correspondingly inclined faces 133 and 134i. `As hereinbefore described, it is evident that the sets of faces-83 and will be on one side of the axis and the other set of faces 33 and 133 will be on the'opposite side' of the axis, as best indicated inr Figure 1 where one set of faces isshown inv full lines and the other set in dotted lines..

All of the shoes E and F are yprovided with rearward extensions 35 which bear upon the frontV face of the follower Cj rlhe two wedges l) are' provided with Vflat bearingffaces at their outer ends adapted to be engaged by the front follower 15.

The two wedges D are also provided with complemental semi-cylindrical recesses 37 to' accommodate therewithin a circular heavyV plate 38, when the parts are assembled, said Vplate 38 being centrally apertured to accon'imodate the retainer,` bolt H. rl`he wedges D are also complementally recessed as indicatedA at 39 and l0 forwardly and Vree-.rivardly of the recesses 37, as best shown l .in Figure 5,l to provideA the necessary clearance forthe nut on the bolt and the shank of the bolt, respectively. The head end of the bolt is passed through the central opening l1 provided in the anchor bar G. The

llatter has its ends eno'affin(v within kthe tion andto place the springs under initial compression. Y

The faces 34 and 134 of the shoes E and wedges D, respectively, are extended at such a blunt angle with respect to the axis of the mechanism as to prevent any substantial wedging, sliding or spreading action bereither buff or draft.

Vsets of cooperating tween the wedges D and shoes E from forces transmitted substantially longitudinally or parallel to the axis of the mechanism in rEhe angle of said faces 34 and 134 will vary in accordance with the materials employed and the slight taper of the shell will be such that it has very little, if any, wedging effect or, stated in another manner, may be said to be of substantially non-wedging effect during the compression stroke so far as buiiing or pulling forces parallel or approximately parallel to the axis are concerned. The angle or inclination of the faces 33 and 133 will be made relatively acute and, in fact, much more acute than has heretofore been deemed successfully possible in a friction mechanism wherein the wedging or spreading action is imposed directly by a single pressure-transmitting wedge on opposed friction shoes proper and the reason that l am enabled to make the angle of'said faces 33 and 133 so acute is that the release is not initially effective between said faces, as hereinafter explained.

The operation is as follows, assuming a buffing compression stroke. The two wedges D will be forced rearwardly or inwardly of the shell and the wedging or spreading effect from the two wedges D will occur entirely or substantially entirely on the two faces 33 and 133, sliding or wedging action on the faces 34 and 134 being entirely negligible. Obviously, there will bean equal reaction in each set of the friction devices which will force the wedge D transversely against the shoe E so that the pressure between the shoes E and F of each set and the shell will be equalized. In the carrying out of my invention, the capacity of the spring will afford some resistance., but the greater part of the resistance is obtained purely by the friction generated between the shoes and shell, the spring B performing the function of returning or restoring the friction elementswhen they are released.

At the end of the compression stroke and upon removal of the actuating force, it is evident that tremendous forces will be stored upin the friction shell which has necessarily been expanded to some extent. Consequently, the shell will contract and the forces therefrom will be exerted radially inwardly on the shoes. Considering first the contraction of the shell with respect to the release action, it is obvious that the faces V33 and 133 extend at a relatively blunt or non-releasing angle with respect to such radial forces and, consequently, the faces 33 and 133 are not effective during initial release. Conversely, the faces 34 and 134 which are of short blunt releasing angle, oppose no e'ective resistance or sticking action to the radially inwardly contracting forces of the shell and hence said faces 34 act as wedges at this time to functionally free the wedges D from the shoes F or otherwise leaving loose or loosening the wedge,

whereupon the groups of friction elements collapse sufficiently for the spring to restore all parts to normal position, the parts properly positioning themselves with respect to each other at the end of the release action, inasmuch as there is sucient looseness to permit thereof. 1li-respective of the contracting forces of the shell and considering the wedges D at the moment when the buffing or compression forces cease, said wedges D are free to drop away from the slices E, inasmuch as the faces 34 of the shoes E oppose no resistance thereto. rl`he initial collapse or break in the friction devices, therefore, occurs between the faces 34 and 134. Furthermore, the taper of the shell, hereinbefore described, is of further assistance in insuring restoration of all of the parts to normal position, inasmuch as the. friction parts, when collapsed or released, may readily be projected outwardly under the influence of the spring resistance without danger of the shoes jamming with the shell walls.

Due to the unsymmetrical arrangement of faces 33 and 133 on the one hand and 34 and 134 on the other hand and because of the substantially non-wedging action on the faces 34 and 134 during a compression stroke, there may be a tendency of the wedge D and blunt shoe E of each set to advance longitudinally inwardly of the shell with respect to the keen angle shoe F of the corresponding set. This in turn, were there only one set of wedging devices, would tend to induce tilting of the` spring follower and hence cause a slightly unbalanced spring pressure on the keen and blunt angle shoes of each set. However, by arranging the two sets of frictiony devices oppositely, should any action such as just mentioned tend to occur, it is evident that the tilting action of the spring follower will be eliminated or neutralized since it will be actuated uniformly on two diagonally disposed corners. Should the spring follower, by the action mentioned, be compelled to move slightly away from the inne-r ends of the keen angle shoes F, nevertheless, no detrimental results will follow, inasmuch as the keen angle shoes will still be frictionally restrained while they are being forced irwardly of the shell and hence cannot be freed from the shell or rendered loose, this result following not only by reason of the spreading action against the shoes F which creates the friction between them and the shell but also on account of the inward taper of the shell. In the release action, it is evident that, after the parte have collapsed, the spring follower will assist in aud tomatically adjust-ing vtlie. relative positions ofl the keen and blunt shoes inasmuch as all four will. ultimately be picked up and moved to theiriinal release position by the follower C.V i Y fil-though I have herein shown and described what I'no'w consider the. preferred manner of carrying out 'theinventiom the same is merely illustrative and by way of description only/'Hand not. by wayj f limitation. iall changes and modifications are contemplated thatcome within the scope of the claims appended hereto. i

VI claim: Y i Y Y 1.In a friction draft gear, in Vcombination: friction means adapted to be mounted on a car. and held stationary under buff; a spring resistance; oppositely arranged sets of 'movable' meaiisfbetween which and said stationary frictionmeans, cushioning Vfriction iscaused by'buifing strains transmitted to said movable means, each of said movable means including, two parts having faces arranged at different angles to the axis of the gear, the said angles together' providing a releasing angle; and Voppositely arranged `wedgring means to receive said buifiiig strains and to cooperate with said respective releasing angles to Lapply pressure to said two parts'of each movable means and to freely release therefrom on the cessation of said strains, one of said faces of each means being arranged Aat a relatively acute angle to said aXis so that the wedging means Acreate high frictional resistance.

2. In a'friction draft gear,-in combination: friction means adapted to be mounted on a car and held stationary under buff, said means having longitudinally slightly convergedfrictioiiv surfaces; a spring resistance; two sets of oppositely arranged movable means eacli having friction surfaces cooperable with. said first named friction surfaces and between which and said stationary friction means, cushioning friction is caused by buiiing strains transmitted to said movable means, each of said movable means including two parts having faces arranged at different angles to the axis of the gear, the said angles together forming a releasing angle; vand oppositely disposed wedging means arranged to receive said butiing Vstrains and to cooperate with the said faces of each respective movable means defining said releasing angle to apply pressure to said two parts and to freely'release therefrom on the cessation of said strains, one of"A said faces of each set being arranged at a relatively acute angle to said axis so that the wedging means will cause high fric- Vtional cushioning resistance.

Y 3. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction member provided with longitudinally extending friction surfaces; of a spring resistance;

oppositely arranged sets offfrictioii" elements having also longitudinally extending friction surfaces cooperabler'with Vthe fric tion surfaces of said member, one element of each set having a face inclined at .afkeen wedging angle relative to the axis'offsaid member and another element of each" set having a face inclined'at a relatively obtuse releasing angle relative to the axis of vsaid member; and a one-piece memberfor each of said sets of "frictionelements,V each said one-piece member having inclined'facesroacting directly with the said inclinedfaces of the elements of the respective set.

. 4l. vIna friction shock absorbing Vmecha'- nism, the combination with a friction meinber provided with. longitudinally,extending friction surfaces slightly converged in Ythe direction of the Vlength ofthe mechanism; of oppositely arranged sets of friction elements each having` also longitudinallyextending cooperating frietion surfaces, one element of each set having` a face inclined at a keen wedge angle with respect to the Xis of said member and another element of each set having a face inclined at an vobtuse releasing angle with respect to the axis of said member; a spring resistance; and aV onepiece member'cooperable with the'elements of each set, each one-piece member having Ainclined faces co-acting directly witlifsaid inclined faces of the elements Vofthe respective set.' .i f

A5. In a friction` shock absorbing mech- Y anism, the combination with Aagfriction shell provided with interior longitudinally extending friction surfaces g of a spring re-y sistance';4 oppositely arranged pairs of Vfrictionshoes within said shell, one shoe of'each pair having an inner face vextending, at a keen wedge-acting angle with vrespect to the axis ofthe shell the' other' shoe 'of each pair having an inner face extending at a different and obtuse releasing 1 yangle withrespect tol said aids; Vand avons-piece member associated *withV each pa-irfof friction shoes, each said one-piece memberhaving correspondingly inclinedfaces co-acting with said faces of the vshoes'of'thefres'pective setr A Y Y V6.. In a friction shock absorbing'mechaii'ism, the lcombination with a `friction 'shell provided with`iiiterior longitudinally extending friction surfaces7 converged iiiwardlv of the shell; of a spring resistance; oppositely arranged pairs offriction shoes within said shell and frictionallyfco'op'erable with the surfaces thereof, oneshoe of each pair having an inner face'extending at a keen wedge-acting angle relative to the axis of the shell and the other shoe of each pair having an inner face extending at a different and obtuse releasing angle relative to said axis;l and a one-piece member foi` member having correspondingly inclined faces co-acting with said faces of the friction shoes of the respective set.

7. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combination with a shell; of a spring resistance; oppos'itely arranged sets of friction shoes operating within the shell; a shock-transmitting wedge for each of said sets of friction shoes, each wedge operating between the shoes of the respective set, one shoe of each set having a wedge face at an angle which is acute and of high frictioncreating capacity and non-releasing, and another shoe of each set opposing the acute angle shoe thereof having a face engaged by the wedge of the respective set at a wedge-releasing angle opposed to said wedge face of the first mentioned shoe of the respective set.

8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction shell; of a spring resistance; oppositely arranged sets of friction shoes slidable within said shell; and a movable wedge for each set of friction shoes and disposed therebetween, the shoes of each set having inner faces inclined one to the other at an angle from within which the respective wedge is readily releasable upon discontinuance of the actuating compression force, the inner face of one of said shoes of each set being at an acute angle to create high frictional capacity in the mechanism and of such an acute angle per se that the initial collapse of the shoes of each set and cooperating wedge must necessarily occur on other faces.

9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction shell having interior longitudinally extending friction surfaces converged inwardly of the shell; of a spring resistance; oppositely arranged sets of friction shoes, each set comprising opposed friction shoes frictionally cooperable with said surfaces of the shell; and pressure-receiving and transmitting wedging means associated with and eX- tended between the shoes of each set, said means and shoes, of each set, on one side of the axis of the shell having engaging faces extending at an acute angle with respect to said axis, said means and opposed shoe, of each set, on the other side of the axis having cooperating faces inclined at a releasing more obtuse angle with respect to said anis.

10. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combination with a friction shell having interior opposed longitudinally eX- tending friction surfaces; of a spring resistance; a spring follower at the end of said spring resistance adjacent the inner end of the shell; and oppositely arranged sets of friction devices cooperable with said shell, each set of friction devices including opposed friction shoes and a wedge therebetween, said wedge and one shoe having keen angle wedge engagement and the wedge and an opposed shoe having blunt angle engagement, the keen angle shoes of the two sets being diagonally disposed within the shell, all shoes having engagement normally with said spring follower. f

ll. In a. friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a casting having a friction shell at one end thereof and a spring cage at the other end, said shell being provided with inwardly converged opposed friction surfaces; of twin arranged springs within the cage; a spring follower at the ends of said springs adjacent the shell; and two sets of friction devices within the shell, each set including opposed friction shoes and an interposed wedge, said wedge having keen angle engagement with one shoe and blunt angle engagement with an opposed shoe, the keen angle shoe of one set being disposed on the opposite side of the axis of the mechanism to the keen angle shoe of the other set.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 22nd day of July 1922.

JOHN F. OCONNOR. `Witnesses:

UNA C. GRIGsBY, ANN BAKER. 

